The BIRDS Club

By D.A. Kniejski

Rebecca Westley is new to Desert Town, Arizona. She quickly discovers it isn't the paradise she had always known in Magicville, Texas. A group of bullies calling themselves the Eagles harass her, the academic program in school is different, without her bird-like uniform and its special gifts, very few people recognize her as the leader of The BIRDS Club. Thankfully, her twin sister, June and their friends, a bucktoothed girl named Sharon Richards and a whimsical girl named Lisa Smith are there for her.

These trials increase when someone begins spreading false and hurtful rumors about Becky and June, challenging their friendship with Sharon and Lisa. Becky must face these trials before she can discover where true friendships lie, but it won't be easy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.A. Kniejski
• Release date: Aug 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310290268

Book preview

The BIRDS Club

by D.A. Kniejski

© 2014 D.A. Kniejski

Smashwords Edition

Prologue

News anchorman Norman Bench was usually calm when he reported for News Channel 15, but today he was so excited that his hands shook as he shifted the mike back and forth between them, his heart thundered so loud he could hear it in his ears and his breathing was so fast he could hardly speak. He kept looking to the sky behind him. When his breathing was more level, he spoke into the mike, For the last several months, the Space Agency has been charting the earthbound path of an unusual object while it was still deep in space. It is now right on our doorstep and the government can no longer afford to keep it secret. I’m fortunate to be here first hand to report it to you folks.

Something zipped by at breakneck speed, casting a huge shadow over the area in which it flew. Upon impulse, Norman and hundreds of onlookers crouched down in fear. Norman shouted into the mike, Whoa, look at that!

The saucer shaped object wobbled as it raced toward the gulf coast and disappeared from sight. Five seconds later, something large hit the ground with a sound like an explosion, sending shockwaves that stretched for miles. As the onlookers dashed away from the area to escape them, Norman and the cameraman were frozen to their spots. The land around them changed rapidly, destroying everything for miles. Norman knew what had happened without asking. The object had circled back before it crashed somewhere in South Texas near a remote little town named Magicville.

The ground continued to shake and quake as the area around him changed shape before solidifying into a terrain that was nothing like it had been before. There was also an overall change in the atmosphere. Norman had no doubt that Magicville would be nothing like it had been before. At least no one had been killed.

Something in the sky caught his attention. Off in the distance, he saw people flying through sky with aid of what may have been bird outfits. From this distance, it was hard to make out their colors. He heard a rustle on the ground and saw more people, this time wearing what appeared to be cat-like outfits.

Unable to continue his report, Norman went home. Over the next several weeks, the authorities quarantined the area around the crash site. So changed was the area they were unable to find where the object had landed. Soon they called off the quarantine.

Chapter 1 - First Day of School

Nine-year-old Rebecca Ann Westley tore through the Desert Town Elementary School playground, chest heaving and sweat stinging in her eyes. Her backpack pounded against her back as she ran. She could fight bullies one on one, but four bullies thundered after her, giving no hint that they knew her identity. No surprise, without her special bird-like Blue Uniform, no one recognized her as the famous Blue Jay, leader of the famous BIRDS Club. That was only one of the many changes she had been forced to make since moving from Magicville Texas to Desert Town Arizona. Magicville was also a Garden of Eden. Desert Town was noted for its four seasons.

Becky charged onward, trying to gain the safety of the building, but Cobra, the tall blue eyed, brown haired boy leading the pack blocked her effort. When she glanced back at him, she saw a nick in his left ear. The glance surprised Cobra, allowing Becky to reach the building, but she was unable to stop at any of the doors. Saw Blade, a tall girl with dreadlocks down her back saw to that by staying close to the building as she tried to close the distance between them. Switchblade, a short girl with long brown hair flanked Cobra’s left hand side. Trailing behind them, panting as he ran was Chainsaw, a chunky boy with black hair.

Becky sprinted around the building past a huge tree. She pounded to a stop near a fence behind which she saw very fancy playground equipment similar to what was enjoyed at Magicville Grade School. Guarding the only gate and a door just beyond was a fat guard with small brown eyes, a mustache and balding brown hair.

Becky’s lungs heaved as she turned in time to see the bullies running back the way they had come. Determined to get inside, she tried to go through the gate, but the guard stepped in her way.

Can I go through that door? Becky panted, eyeing the door intently.

Are you FUN? The guard grunted, reminding Becky of a pig.

Becky knew what he was talking about. The Flexible Union Network or FUN for short was in use in Texas but experimental in Arizona. One teacher taught everything in all the grades, even going to the different schools with their students. Class started at nine and got out at two. They usually had time to finish their homework in class. Teaching technique permitted fast learning. No sir, She whispered sadly, breathing now more regular.

You’re twenty minutes late, the pig-like guard said as he scratched in his mustache. He gave her a beady brown eyed stare. You need a pass from the office. You won’t be allowed in class without one.

Thanks, Becky whispered as she looked down shyly. She turned back around and shuffled her feet through the manicured lawn back in the direction she had come, trying doors as she passed them, but nothing was unlocked from the outside.

When she reached the normal playground, Becky paid closer attention to what it looked like. She saw a basketball court with a near by stone water fountain that serviced ten kids at a time. She saw swing sets, more large trees, slides, tetherballs, jungle gyms, and merry-go-rounds. It was nothing fancy. She reached an unlocked door near the cafeteria. The cool interior of the building was almost cold as she found the office.

A portly woman looked up from behind a counter. Her oversized eyeglasses were nearly on the end of her nose. May I help you, she asked in a surprisingly deep voice.

Yeah. I need pass for class, Becky answered.

Let me see your schedule, The woman said with no emotion.

Becky dug quickly into her pocket and produced her slightly sweat dampened schedule.

The woman took it and examined it. She wrote something down on a pad of paper and passed both the schedule and the pass back to Becky. Your class is just down the hall and to the left.

Becky took the papers. She looked down at her feet as she shuffled out of the room, whispering, Thanks.

As Becky’s footfalls echoed through the empty hall, she saw hall lockers along the walls. In Magicville, students had a cubbyhole in the back of the classroom, but out here, they were assigned a locker. As Becky neared her classroom, she saw a stairwell nearby heading upstairs.

When she reached room seven, Becky compared her schedule with the room number. Why were there extra teachers listed beside the different subjects? She pocketed the schedule, grasped the knob into her shaking hand, and then opened the door. CREAK! Immediately, her heart raced and her legs felt like jelly as thirty kids, one of which was Cobra, stared at her.

The teacher was an older man with brown eyes, brown hair and a mustache. With a frown, he walked up to his desk, glanced down at his schedule and then turned to her and said, Rebecca Westley, I presume.

Becky walked over and handed him her hall pass. She glanced at the chalkboard at a list of math problems and how to do addition. Written in the upper right hand corner was his name, Mr. Bixley.

Mr. Bixley cleared his throat making Becky jump. In the future, you are to be in class on time.

Yes sir, Becky said softly, cringing at how slowly he talked. Sorry sir.

Your seat is the fifth row, fourth chair, Bixley pointed toward the windows.

On her way to her chair, Becky passed a familiar chunky brown haired green eyed girl with cheek dimples. She sat in her seat with her pack at her feet, and ignored rude remarks about her ‘grand entrance’ while Bixley silenced everyone with a penetrating glare before continuing his lesson.

As she dug into her bag for a pencil and her notebook, Becky noticed pictures on the wall depicting math. It was similar to Mrs. Wagner’s class in Magicville on all the subjects.

Along the wall behind Bixley’s desk was a cart with what looked like math workbooks.

Bored, Becky yawned deep as she looked to her left out the window. Her eyes shot open! There stood the elaborate playground and the pig-like guard. It burned to know she could have gone through that door.

Becky glanced often at that fun looking playground with huge tire swings hanging from trees; a huge, fancy jungle gym ship; fun slides; a tree house supported by strong posts with a stairwell going up; a sandbox; tether poles; a basketball shoot; rocking lions, tigers, and unicorns; tunnels; and lots of places to hide. At eight thirty, a bus let kids off. They entered the playground and started to play. Becky was jealous.

She was five years old again. Her uncle had invited her and her six friends to his house.

Her uncle was a thin and lanky man with long blond hair and kindly green eyes. His wife had died before Becky was born, and he lived alone. He invited Becky and her friends in his living room one day for cookies and lemonade. When they had their fill, he indicated an ornate box in the middle of the room.

What’s in there? Jo Ann, a brown eyed girl with dreadlocks asked.

This is something special that I want you to have, Becky’s uncle answered.

What is it? Jodi, a girl with brown eyes, black hair and a baby face asked.

It will give you special abilities, Her Uncle answered. It will protect you, and you must protect it.

Sue Ann craned her head to see what was in the box, hazel eyes shining with curiosity, enhancing her light skin tone, freckles, and red hair cut in a bob.

I see something in there, Mari, a girl with large brown eyes and three braids kept tight against her head said.

Becky’s uncle said, You and seven of your male classmates are very valiant. You’re being honored today.

Why are we being honored? Maria, a girl with brown eyes and black hair cut in a bob asked. Are we to become superheroes or something?

Becky’s uncle smiled at all of them and chuckled. No. I don’t think so.

What is being honored? Chin Lee a girl with a round face and long black hair asked.

To be honored, Becky’s uncle began with a smile, Is like getting a big hug from your grandparents. It is something very special and doesn’t happen too often.

Chin Lee smiled and giggled.

Becky’s uncle took seven packages out of the box. As he closed the lid on whatever else may have been inside, he said, I see great potential in you girls, and the start of a club. You look up to Becky as a leader and call her Blue Jay. These uniforms will reflect that even more. He showed them the packages. One was blue. The rest were white with blue in them. Becky was given the blue package. Everyone else got the others.

Later that day, they tried them on, and Becky put on what would later be known as the Blue Uniform.

Each uniform had a two piece shirt and shorts outfit covered with bird feathers. The shorts had long tail feathers in a bird tail arrangement. The hood had an orange see-through mask covering the eyes. A small pointed bird beak covered the bridge of the wearer’s nose up to but not covering over the nostrils. The hood was topped with a feathered crest. A clasp under the chin looked easy to undo. Guarding it was a must.

The shirt sleeves were long and ended at fingerless gloves. Other features included a length of stretchy material from shoulder to wrist and feathers that gave them the appearance of real birds’ wings. The hands were hidden by the longer wing feathers from the backside, but from the front side, the fingerless gloves were not attached to the wings and were free to move around independent of the wing feathers.

Becky’s uniform was a solid sky blue color. The other uniforms were primarily white with blue feathers on the bird tail, the crest, and the shorter feathers on the elastic material and sleeves.

The uniforms appeared to be one size, but the moment they put them on, they grew or shrunk in size, fitting them perfectly. The construction of the wings with the stretchy material and the fingerless gloves and other unknown forces kept the wings in place on the arms to maintain proper bird wing appearance. The wings crest and tail worked like those of real birds and they could fluff their feathers. Their senses were all greatly magnified and they were not too hot or too cold. The uniforms felt like silk to the skin.

Becky’s father had built a small two story house for his mother when Becky was a baby, but she passed away prior to moving in. It became the BIRDS clubhouse. It had a huge covered porch with seven name plates each featuring one of the BIRDS names. The front of the clubhouse was twenty feet away form the Westley’s back door. Behind the clubhouse, a huge oak tree shaded everything. Inside, the back door was across the room from the front door. To the left of the front door was a living room with a bookshelf and two couches. Further down was a bathroom. To the right was a kitchenette with a large oval table and a stairwell going upstairs. Upstairs was an office and one huge bedroom with nine beds and a bathroom in it.

Shortly after putting them on, the girls discovered the uniforms’ healing powers. As long as they wore them, wounds healed quickly, nothing could hurt them and they could fly like real birds. They wrote up rituals and ceremonies shortly after. These included the V formation, the Friendship Circle and what would happen if a BIRD were forced to move and if they came back. As a sign of respect to Becky’s uncle for when they received the uniforms, the BIRDS regularly ate cookies and drank lemonade. A month later, someone told Becky that she always clenched her hands into fists when she was happy or sure of herself. Though it was an automatic response, it became her trademark.

Locals and visitors alike respected the rules and rituals of the BIRDS and also the other club made of boys called The BOBCATS club. Because of the unique powers of the uniforms, both clubs gained fame so strong in a short period of time that a cartoon had been made in their honor. Likewise, both clubs were very close friends.

Becky’s twin sister, June, was jealous from the start because Becky could fly. As her fame grew, so did June’s jealousy.

Bixley cleared his throat, bringing Becky’s mind to the present. He pointed to the chalkboard. Copy these down, they are due tomorrow. He pulled the book cart out into the open and said, When I call your name, I want you to come get your textbook and give me the number. Cover them, don’t write in them.

As the first name was called, Becky thought, Why can’t I write in it? It’s a workbook, isn’t it? She glanced outside at the kids playing on that playground equipment.

Her turn came too fast and Becky walked slowly to the front. She looked at her book when she got it and was let down when it came to her that the book wasn’t a workbook. It was hard bound with all the math problems written side by side with no room to answer them. On the inside cover was a stamp for her name.

Book number, Bixley said quickly.

Becky whispered, 71436. At his nod she returned to her seat and dropped the textbook in her pack.

The school bell rang just as Becky was starting on her homework. Everyone else in the room stood, shuffled their belongings and left the room. Unsure what they were doing or where they were going, Becky remained in her seat and continued with her homework.

A few minutes later, Bixley stood over her and snapped, When the bell rings, go to your next class!

Terror stricken, Becky dropped her pencil and stared at Bixley. Why wasn’t he calling his next subject?

Get going! Bixley snapped; face turning beet red, arm stretched, and finger pointing at the door.

Becky put her notebook in her bag and left the classroom quickly.

A blond haired girl wearing a blue dress pushed Becky.

Hay! Becky protested, but she didn’t push back. What was that for?

The girl held a toy doll tightly in her arms. Full of sass, the girl boldly said, Uncle Jonathan doesn’t like you.

Huh? Becky asked, confused, looking into the girl’s hazel eyes.

In first hour. I saw you make your big entrance. Mr. Bixley is my uncle and legal guardian. I’m Jennifer Wood and I don’t like you either. She pushed her doll in Becky’s face, Neither does Blue Jay.

The doll was one of those highly collectable special edition Blue Jay dolls that had been created in her honor as the leader of The BIRDS Club. A closer look at the doll revealed that it had its hands clenched in fists. Jennifer held it, then turned and walked down the hall. Becky fumed all the way to her next class.

English was just a few doors down. Becky arrived just as the tardy bell rang. She found a seat in the back corner near the windows. She gazed out the window at that elaborate playground. The kids playing there were now in class. In sight of where she sat was an apple shaped piece of playground equipment. It was made of concrete and the sun had bleached the leaves, stem and the red on the apple. A doorway and slits in the sides allowed air to flow. It appeared to be a good hiding spot. She decided to call it Apple Dome.

A look around the room revealed a supply list written on the chalkboard. It featured what was needed for this class. Becky took her notebook out of her pack and looked for her pencil. It was her only writing tool. With horror, she recalled leaving it in Bixley’s classroom. In Magicville, the practice was for teachers to keep a box of pencils on their desk. Sad, she realized by its absence that it wasn’t a practice in Desert Town.

I’m Mrs. Ramley, the teacher, a lady with brown eyes and brown hair began. Her high heels clicked on the tile as she walked around to the front of her desk. She picked up a toilet seat that had been leaning there. While everyone questioned its use, she held it up in manicured hands and told them, If you need to use the bathroom, this is my hall pass. I allow only one at a time. She leaned it back against her desk.

A short boy with brown hair, seated in the desk in front of Becky turned around and whispered to her, I’m not going to go use the bathroom if I have to carry that thing. Surety shined in his gray eyes.

Me either, Becky answered as the boy turned back around.

We will take a test today to see how much you remember from last year, Ramley told them. Her heels clicked on the tile as she took a stack of papers off her desk and began passing out seven sheets to the first person seated in each row. Each person took one and passed it back. Becky got her test last. The test should take only half an hour.

Becky was horrified as everyone started their test and she could not. The familiar girl from first hour was also in this class, seated to the right and one seat up from Becky’s spot. She turned in her seat and smiled, cheek dimples showing and passed over a pencil. Here. Keep it. I have an extra one.

Becky took the pencil and smiled back shyly. Thanks.

The test was easy. Becky was finished before anyone else. She turned it over and looked at the pencil. It featured the cartoon version of The BIRDS Club. She had never seen this cartoon to know if it was true to life or not. The lettering on it said, The BIRDS Club in dark blue. Becky’s cartoon version was wearing the Blue Uniform and flying among white cloud puffs. She decided not to use it much.

Becky looked outside at Apple Dome and thought about a test day last year. It had been nine AM, and she and the BIRDS had just gotten to class. She had been very nervous.

I hate tests, Becky said point blank.

I don’t like them either, Blue Jay, Jo Ann agreed.

Everyone else in the club was quick to agree with them as were several other students in the class. In the distance, June’s mean expression indicated that she could care less.

Sue Ann, Becky and Jodi immediately started going through their backpacks, wing feathers spreading out as they did so.

Sue Ann’s face flushed, causing her freckles to stand out. I forgot my pencil at home.

Jodi showed them her pencil with concern on her round face. I have mine, but the led is busted.

Becky said bitterly, I think June may have stolen mine. She shot a glance at her twin, who was seated at a table with the BOBCATS. June just glared at her. She was a contrasting figure to the seven boys dressed in cat outfits that gave them cat-like abilities.

Hurry now, BIRDS, Mrs. Wagner said. She was a kindly teacher with wavy blond hair, a round face, and green oval eyes.

Becky Jodi and Sue Ann each took a pencil out of the blue cardboard pencil box on Wagner’s desk. As soon as they were all seated, the test took place. It had been easy and Becky turned it over when she was done.

When everyone was finished with their test, Becky turned around in her seat and snarled at June, You wouldn’t happen to know what happened to my pencil, would you? She folded and unfolded her tail and lowered her crest. She folded her wings in tight to show her disgust and tried to remain calm in case she was wrong about June’s crime.

I took it, June admitted, voice thick with jealousy. The great Blue Jay never gets in trouble. It would be justice if they clipped your wings for failing a test.

Becky snapped, Get off the pity train and enjoy your own life. Be happy for me that I’m in this club. I would be if it was you. She fluffed her feathers out and let them rest back down again.

June snorted and put her face directly into Becky’s, and taunted, I bet you wouldn’t!

Becky saw anger in June’s blue eyes, but didn’t care. She clipped, Do you really think you will get my club status if I should suddenly lose it?

Yes, June answered. She suddenly appeared to be daydreaming about it.

What if we moved? Becky asked with sarcasm as she raised her crest. You wouldn’t get it then!

Well, we wouldn’t move, June said, pulling straws out of the dark. And I would get your uniform and your place as Blue Jay.

Hah! Becky snapped, You may EAT those words one of these days so you better be careful. She hadn’t believed they would move.

A toe tapping on the tile made Becky snap out of her daydream. Mrs. Ramley was standing in front of her with her hands on her hips. One hundred lines, ‘I will not daydream in class.’ Due at the end of the hour. Ramley’s heals clicked, grating on Becky’s nerves as she returned to the front.

Becky and the BIRDS and BOBCATS had been given lines many times for all the snakes and frogs they had left in or on Mrs. Wagner’s desk. She hated the experience. She leaned closer to the boy in front of her and whispered, Hay, can I borrow a pencil?

The boy turned around and asked, Why? You already have one.

I don’t like line writing, Becky began. I’ve learned to do so with both hands at the same time.

Silent, but curious, the boy passed over his pencil.

Thanks, Becky answered. She got some paper out of her bag and numbered it.

I will not daydream in class, Becky began on two sheets of paper at the same time. As she wrote, she wrote faster. The boy just stared, fascinated. She was done before the others were done with their test, giving her a chance to think momentarily about the BOBCATS.

The BOBCATS club wore uniforms that much resembled a real bobcat. Most of their uniforms were brown with darker brown spots. Their leader, Lucky, had a uniform slightly different in that the ear tufts were a little bushier and his uniform had black tiger stripes in the brown and dark brown pattern.

Ramley told them, Pencils down, tests over. Pass the test to the person in front of you. Front row, pass them to the right. Her heals clicked annoyingly on the tile as she walked up to the seat on the far right.

The tests were passed with a shuffling of paper and within a minute, they were all in Ramley’s hands.

The boy in front of Becky turned around and whispered, I wish I could write with both hands at the same time.

Becky tried to hand the pencil back. Thanks for letting me use your pencil.

The boy didn’t take it. Keep it, He said with a smile.

Thanks, Becky whispered shyly. She looked at the new pencil. It was school issued with a yellow background and the words Desert Town Silver Foxes written in silver and the silver colored fox mascot near the eraser. It reminded her of the Red Fox mascot of her old school in Magicville.

Ramley gave the class a once over glance and told them, Each week, you will write in a journal on a topic of my choice. This week’s subject is cats. At the end of each week, I will take up your journals. On the board is a list of twenty spelling words I want you to write out ten times each. Tonight’s homework is to write in your journals and write out those words. She indicated a cart near the chalkboard. Your spelling textbook is on the cart behind me. You may get started on your homework while I call each of you up to collect your textbook.

As Becky took her notebook back out and wrote down the words and supply list, she looked out the window at the FUN playground. It was a nagging reminder that she wasn’t in Magicville anymore. She got on the spelling words while Mrs. Ramley called each person to collect their textbook. Becky was on the tenth word when her name was called. She took her lines with her to the front of the room.

Your permanent desk number is row five, seat seven, though if you continue further daydreaming in the future, you will move closer to the front so I can keep my eye on you, Ramley said.

Yes Ma’am, Becky whispered respectfully as she put her lines on the desk. Ramley handed two textbooks to her. Becky looked at them noting that one was a spelling book and the other was for English.

Give me the number on the inside cover of the two textbooks. Begin with the Spelling book, Ramley said point blank.

Becky answered, 15972 and 27189.

Ramley wrote this down, and then let Becky return to her seat.

Cover your books, Ramley instructed as she stood up. Except for your name on the inside cover, leave no other marks in it.

The moment the bell rang, Becky gathered her stuff and bolted out of the room. In the hall, she glanced at her schedule. Science class was upstairs in room thirty. She headed back toward her math class to the stairwell she had seen earlier. Upon arrival, she noted with confusion that no one was using it. Why?

Undaunted, Becky climbed that stairwell, ignoring the gasps from those that saw her doing so. When she reached the top, she was stopped by a wall with a door in its center. She opened the door with a soft click, met immediately by Piggy. He scratched in his mustache and let out a pig grunt-like sigh. I saw you this morning. You tried to get into the FUN yard. You told me you’re Non FUN. You need to use the stairwell at the end of the building to get upstairs. Go back down, and turn left, just past the art rooms.

As Becky followed Piggy’s instructions, she thought to herself, Three stairwells and normal students can use only one of them. That is such a stupid policy.

She kept her head down as she climbed the Non FUN stairwell and thought about what Piggy had said. ‘Non FUN’ isn’t a word and I’m not arguing with it. She expected to see a doorway at the top of the stairs. She was surprised when there wasn’t one. She turned right and shuffled her feet down the hall, ignoring the tardy bell as it rang.

At the end of the hall Becky saw a wall with a solid door in the middle of it. Curious, she walked up to that door, grasped the doorknob and turned it slowly. It opened with a soft click. Silent, she pushed it open a crack, and then peeked inside. The door had been hung just right to prevent anyone doing what she did just now from seeing around it and into the forbidden area of school. From what she saw, only a few posters and pictures covered otherwise bare walls. To the right, she saw a closed door. Moments later, Piggy walked into sight and stood next to the closed door with his back to her.

Realization sank in fast and she forced herself not to slam that door in anger. I don’t believe this! I could have used that stairwell and made it to Science on time. Now, because of that guard, I’m late!

Anger gave way to sadness as Becky walked down the hall and entered her Science class.

Becky stopped in the door and stared at her teacher. He was so fat; it stuck to him in rolls. He had no neck and four chins. The top one had a dimple. He had a round face and cheeks so pudgy that his mouth looked like a slit between them. It appeared as if he never went outside for any exercise that didn’t somehow include food. His black hair appeared greasy and he smelled bad of body odor. Did he ever bathe? He walked with a duck-like waddle and every movement appeared exerting because he was out of breath. His green eyes looked through Becky momentarily. Suddenly, with a smile on his fat face, his eyes beamed with recognition.

Good lord! The teacher quickly said in a high pitched voice. He hastily looked down at his roll sheet, then back up. You must be Rebecca Westley.

Becky nodded.

Have a seat at table six, The teacher directed excited.

She saw nine square tables with four chairs under each one. Table six was the only one empty and was near the windows. The normal playground wasn’t interesting, so she faced her teacher instead.

I am Mr. Smithman, He began. I don’t expect too much on the first day of school, especially from you Miss. Westley.

One disapproving boy retorted, Look at that! Lard Butt has a pet. Several other kids laughed.

Yeah, Another boy at the same table said. There’s nothing special about the new girl!

Becky turned away with disgust that they were not showing better respect toward their teacher.

Smithman ignored the remarks, rolled a cart out from a spot behind his desk and said, As I call each of you up to get your textbook, give me the number on the inside cover. Becky, you are first.

Becky stood and walked slowly to the front.

Why is she first? Jennifer Wood asked bitterly from the first table.

Yeah, another girl at the same table agreed. It should be done by table number. She is at table six.

As she continued walking to the front, several others tossed wadded papers at her and said hurtful things out loud about the special pet of the stinky teacher. None of them recognized her as Blue Jay of The BIRDS Club.

Smithman handed her a textbook when she reached the front and said softly, Don’t feel bad, Blue Jay. I’ll make you feel comfortable around here, even if no one else does.

Becky gasped softly, heart racing hard. Reading her expression, Smithman said, Don’t be afraid. I recognize you because I was in the crowds at the Morning Ceremony and got a good look at you.

Not sure how to respond, Becky just looked at the number on her book and said, My number is 30517. At his nod, she turned and started walking back to her desk, receiving more paper tossing and hurtful words along the way.

Smithman stood up, looked around and then snapped, Is this how our proud school treats a new student? The talking and paper tossing ended and Smithman said, That’s better.

Once everyone had their books, Smithman said, We will discuss dinosaurs first. Turn your books open to chapter one. Becky, His face softened again, Could you read the first page.

Feeling on display, Becky did as told. When she was done reading and another reader was selected, her mind wandered back to the only time in Magicville where she had ever worn a dress to school. Feeling as if her senses had been robbed from her, Becky had not enjoyed it, but there hadn’t been time to change.

Becky passed June in the hall on her way into the living room. June looked stunned, but quickly smiled a mischievous grin. She headed strait for Becky’s room.

Becky was on the way out the back door when their mother stopped June’s progress and hustled her toward the front door. Hold on, young lady. You’re going the wrong way. If you miss the bus, you’re walking.

Her friends were seated on the couches in the living portion of the clubhouse, waiting for her when she arrived.

Blue Jay, Chin Lee laughed from her seat beside Jo Ann. She had a smile on her round face. What happened to your uniform?

"When we got home from my Dad’s company picnic last night, it was late. I was too tired to put it back on and went to bed in my clothes.